ANC to discuss protests

Johannesburg - The ANC's highest decision-making body starts a three-day meeting on Friday to discuss, among other things, recent service delivery protests, a spokesperson said.

"This meeting takes place in the background of some sporadic service delivery protests that have taken place in some parts of the country," said ANC spokesperson Brian Sokutu.

"The NWC [National Working Committee] has already expressed concern at the violent tactics employed by the protesters. Those would certainly be expected to be among the issues [to be discussed at the meeting]."

The National Executive Committee of the ANC will start its meeting at Esselen Park, east of Johannesburg, on Friday morning and will brief the media on its outcome on Monday.

ANC spokesperson Jessie Duarte told SABC that recent service delivery protests in Mpumalanga, North West, Western Cape and Gauteng provinces would come under discussion.

"We will look at the service related protests and the ANC structures on the ground's involvement in the management of those situations," said Duarte.

Several people were arrested for public violence in the protests and some injured when the police were forced to fire rubber bullets to disperse angry crowds.

ANC secretary general Gwede Mantashe will brief the media at Luthuli House in Johannesburg on Monday at 14:00.